“Were you worried about me, my ice queen?”
“No, of course not. I was worried about having to explain why the corpse of the idiot Emperor was lying in a backstreet tavern in Coppertown.”
She finished tying off the makeshift bandage and turned away angrily. He caught her hand.
“Thank you, my Lady. For the superb nursing. And for helping to even the odds a little in the fight.”
“You’re welcome,” she mumbled.
“And now onto more pressing matters.” Kam threw himself onto the bed and clasped his hands beneath his head. He raised a brow. “What, pray, are we going to do about sleeping arrangements?”
“I suppose I can sleep on the floor.”
“You will not. You’re the future Empress of the realm.”
“Thenyoutake the floor.”
“Nope. I don’t do floors. Looks like we’re sharing the bed.” He gave her a wicked grin. “I promise I won’t bite.”
“I’m not sure that’s such a good idea.”
“You know we’ll be married in a few days, don’t you?”
The colour rose in Ren’s cheeks.
“That’s different. I’ll have no choice.”
“You make it sound like an unpleasant chore. I assure you, Ren, it won’t be a chore. Or have you forgotten the last time we were intimate?”
Now her face was blazing.
“You took advantage of me. I didn’t invite it.”
“That, I admit, is true.” He regarded her thoughtfully. “I didn’t realise you were a virgin. I wouldn’t have been so aggressive if I’d known.”
“Oh, you’d have torn my dress off in a sweet and gentle way?”
He laughed and held his hands up in surrender.
“Touché. All right, then let me make you a promise. I swear from now on I will not lay a hand on you without your permission. And that includes our wedding night.”
She narrowed her eyes.
“Correct me if I’m wrong, but didn’t you say it would be my duty to sleep with you whenever you required? I believe ‘frequently and energetically’ were the terms you used.”
His smile faded.
“I also said I wouldn’t force you. I’m not like those men downstairs. Don’t put me in the same bracket.”
“What if I never say yes?”
“Unlikely.”
“You’re pretty sure of yourself aren’t you?”
He held her gaze.
“Very. In fact, I’d put a wager on it.”